The Most Reverend Lionel Gendron, P.S.S., Bishop of Saint-Jean-Longueuil and President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, wrote a letter on behalf of the Bishops of Canada to the President of the Episcopal Conference of Nicaragua conveying solidarity and support in light of recent violence within the country. The letter was released on November 7, 2018, and included the following:

“As President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops I am reaching out on behalf of the Bishops of Canada to convey our solidarity and spiritual closeness to you, our brother Bishops of Nicaragua, and to the flock entrusted to your care – the clergy, consecrated persons and lay faithful – during this deeply painful and violent period of your nation’s history.

“The efforts of your Church to promote dialogue and non-violent means to resolve your country’s current political problems are a powerful example of our call as Christians to live peaceably with everyone and to overcome evil with good (Rm 12:17-21). Thank you for your powerful witness.

“It is with great sadness and revulsion, however, that we have learned of certain heinous acts committed against the Church in your country, including the desecration of churches, and even acts of physical violence against your own person, as well as the Apostolic Nuncio, and other Bishops and clergy.

“We all wish for you to know that we are in solidarity with you and to assure you of the fervent prayers of the Bishops and faithful of Canada for a speedy, peaceful, and just resolution of the societal malaise and disorder currently afflicting Nicaraguan society. May The Immaculate Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows and Queen of Peace, intercede on your behalf and allow for God’s grace to touch, change and transform hearts according to his divine will.”